The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of hydroxyzine in the treatment of meal-related anxiety in adolescents and young adults 8 to 25 years of age diagnosed with an eating disorder who are underweight. The investigators want to find out if hydroxyzine given before meals will improve meal-related anxiety compared to no hydroxyzine.

Study medications (hydroxyzine/placebo) will be dosed based on participant's weight. Dosing will be according to the following body weight ranges:

15-29 Kg 10 mg TID 30-44 Kg 20 mg TID

≥ 45 Kg 30 mg TID

Drug: hydroxyzine HCL

hydroxyzine HCL dosed on weight given 3x per day

Placebo Comparator: Sugar Pill

Placebo given 3 times per day

Other: Placebo

Placebo given 3 times per day

Detailed Description:

This study is a practiced-based pilot study in follow-up to clinical observations made by our treatment team that hydroxyzine attenuates meal-related anxiety and improves treatment adherence in patients with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) (excluding the amenorrhea criterion) or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) specifically with low BMI (≤ 18). To our knowledge, hydroxyzine has never been formally investigated in treating meal-related anxiety and improving outcomes in patients with AN or EDNOS specifically with low BMI (≤ 18).

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

8 Years to 25 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Admitted to the Intensive Structured Living Unit (ISL) at Melrose Institute for treatment of an eating disorder that meets DSM-IV criteria for Anorexia Nervosa (excluding the amenorrhea criterion), or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, specifically with BMI (≤ 18)

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01372670